Taylor Lautner Recalls Kanye West Interrupting Taylor Swift At 2009 VMAs

In 2009, Taylor Swift fans around the world were thrilled when the 19-year-old won an MTV Video Music Award for her music video “You Belong With Me.” The singer, who was still relatively new to the industry at the time, was equally thrilled to be presented with the award for Best Female Video by her then-boyfriend, Taylor Lautner. “I always dreamed of what it would be like to maybe win one someday, but I never really thought it would happen,” she said onstage with a big smile. “I sing country music, so thank you so much for giving me a chance to win a VMA award,” she beamed. West memorably stormed the stage and snatched the microphone from Swift’s hand before declaring that Beyoncé should have won the award instead for her “Single Ladies” music video. “Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you – I’ll let you finish – but Beyoncé had one of the best videos ever! One of the best videos ever! he said. After taking Swift off guard, West left the stage and returned to his place in the audience, to which many people booed him.And, needless to say, Swift – who was then allegedly left in tears backstage – appeared to be under the total shock, remaining silent until MTV switched to a pre-recorded segment.Now Lautner – who stood behind Swift and West as chaos ensued – has recalled his reaction to the whole thing.Discussing the incident this week on his podcast, The Squeeze, Lautner first said that if he could relive any moment in his career, it would be the 2009 VMAs. Noting that he and Swift had just gone public with their relationship, Lautner said: “I gave him the award, so I gave him the award [and] I took five steps back and stood five feet behind her. “In the middle of his acceptance speech, Kanye jumps onto the stage,” he said. Going on to explain why he didn’t step in and defend Swift, Lautner admitted he thought the whole thing was a “rehearsal sketch.” “I can barely hear it. I can’t see them. I just guess the whole thing was a practiced and rehearsed skit, because otherwise why would Kanye West jump up on stage, interrupting Taylor Swift? It just didn’t have no sense,” he said. Ultimately, Lautner revealed that he realized it was all ~not~ a skit after seeing the devastated look on Swift’s face. “He did. jumped, she finished [and] the second she turned around and I saw her face for the first time, I was like, ‘Oh. No, it was not good. I probably should have said something,” he recalled. This isn’t the first time Lautner has addressed the awkward moment. Just months after the VMAs took place, the Twilight actor poked fun at himself for not standing up for Swift during her opening monologue on Saturday Night Live. “I was actually at the VMAs the night she won Best Video and Kanye West interrupted her speech,” he told the crowd. “I was on stage with her when it happened, and as you can see I really stood up for her,” he joked as video of the incident played on screen. and showed Lautner motionless in the background. Lautner went on to joke that he wanted karate to cut West for interrupting Swift, with his theatrical performance drawing cheers from the audience. incoming

Your weekday morning guide to breaking news, cultural analysis and everything in between